The Manna Food Project proposes the installation of temperature-controlled food lockers—available 24/7 year-round—to ensure that individuals and families facing food insecurity in Northern Michigan have consistent, convenient access to healthy, nutritious food. This innovative initiative responds to a sharp increase in local food insecurity and builds on Manna’s commitment to providing food with dignity, flexibility, and efficiency.

Since 2021, the Manna Food Project and its network of partners have seen a dramatic rise in the number of people needing food assistance. The organization’s onsite pantry alone has experienced a 173% increase in individuals served between 2021 and 2024. While Manna currently operates through regularly scheduled pantry hours, these do not accommodate everyone. Work shifts, medical appointments, lack of transportation, poor weather conditions, and health challenges often prevent people from accessing the food they need. Additionally, high demand during pantry hours can lead to long wait times—sometimes over an hour—creating further barriers for those in need.

The food locker program will remove these barriers. Located outside the Manna Food Project facility, the temperature-controlled lockers will allow individuals to access fresh, refrigerated, and frozen food at any time—day or night. Integrated with the OrderAhead online platform, this system will allow users to order groceries from their phones or computers, schedule pickup times, and receive notifications when their food is ready. Each locker is outfitted with an accessible kiosk that provides safe, secure, and private access to the recipient’s designated groceries.

This approach not only expands access but also restores autonomy and dignity to the food assistance process. Guests can choose what food they receive, ensuring that meals suit their preferences, dietary needs, and cultural norms. Moreover, providing nutritious, perishable food—such as dairy, meats, and fresh produce—will help improve long-term health outcomes for food-insecure households.

Manna’s locker program will be implemented with the help of its existing volunteer network—over 300 strong—who will assist in assembling orders and placing them in the lockers. In addition to relieving pressure on in-person pantry operations, the lockers will serve as a vital tool in emergency food access, ensuring that help is available at any time, even when the pantry is closed.

This initiative reflects the evolution of food banking. What began as an emergency response 60 years ago has now become a vital support system for individuals living paycheck to paycheck, including working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people with disabilities. For some, food insecurity is temporary—triggered by unexpected expenses or income loss. For others, it is chronic. In either case, not knowing where the next meal will come from causes serious anxiety and stress.

A recent Manna pantry survey revealed that 95% of guests said the service significantly reduced their stress and anxiety. With 24/7 food lockers, Manna will expand its reach, eliminate access barriers, and provide compassionate, efficient support for more neighbors in need—helping them move from crisis to stability with dignity.

The Lofts at Lumber Square is a transformative 60-unit apartment community in downtown Petoskey that will provide long-term, attainable housing for up to 165 working residents. Designed to meet the urgent need of our community’s “missing middle”—hardworking, middle-income earners who contribute every day but still struggle to find a place to live in Emmet County— this project directly addresses the regional housing crisis that has left teachers, nurses, service workers, and other essential members of our workforce without realistic housing options in the very communities they serve.

More than just a housing development, The Lofts is about community resilience. Housing stability enables children to succeed in school, adults to maintain consistent employment, and families to thrive. When people can live where they work, they become more deeply invested in their neighborhoods, strengthening the fabric of the community. This project affirms that attainable housing is foundational to economic vitality, educational success, health outcomes, and overall community well-being.

According to a 2022 Housing North assessment, Emmet County needs at least 855 new rental units with the largest need for those priced under $1,660 per month. With an alarming 99.7% occupancy rate, rental options are nearly nonexistent. Healthy housing markets typically operate with a 5–8% vacancy rate, underscoring the depth of the crisis. The Lofts at Lumber Square offers a bold, community-driven solution.

Located at 900 Emmet Street, this $18 million development will offer 19 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 9 three-bedroom apartments—renting between $1,225 and $1,650 per month—serving households with incomes approximately between $40,000 to $120,000, based on household size and current HUD income limits. Designed with livability in mind, the complex will feature shared community spaces, greenspace, a small fitness room, and a third-floor outdoor terrace with views of Little Traverse Bay. Its walkable location, adjacent to a community park, adds to its appeal for individuals and families alike.

The success of this initiative is rooted in creative collaboration. After a previous development effort stalled, the Community Foundation stepped in to acquire the land in May 2022, ensuring it would be used for workforce housing. Northern Homes Community Development Corporation, a trusted local nonprofit, will serve as the long-term owner and operator. Haan Development remains involved as a consultant, guiding the pre-development and construction phases.

Now, philanthropy is the final, vital partner. With construction plans ready and momentum growing, the project has a remaining funding gap of $300,000. Closing this gap requires the support of donors, grantmakers, and community champions who understand that housing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Your investment will help transform a vacant lot into 60 safe, affordable homes for our neighbors, and demonstrate that community-led solutions can create lasting, generational change.

The Lofts at Lumber Square isn’t just a housing project—it’s a commitment to a stronger, more inclusive Little Traverse Bay region where everyone who works here has a place to call home.